Control apparatus for electric carriages.



Patented Oct. 16,1900.

H. F. EATON. CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC CABBIAGES.

' (Application filed Mar. 26, 1899.),

5 Sheets-Sheet l.

' (No Model.)

'lt v'inessasn m Wa /e7 No. 659,729. Pafented Oct. l6, I900.-

. H. F. EATON.

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC OARRIAGES. (Application filed Mar. 25,1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Oct. l6, I900.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3,

. ,EwanZEZ'a JEIM H. F. EATON.

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC GARRIAGES.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1899.)

(N0 Modl.)

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Patented Oct. l6, I900. H. F. EATON.

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC CARRIAGES.

(Application filed Mar. 25, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' (No Model.)

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No. 659,729. Patented 00f. l6, I900.

H. F. EATON. CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC GARBIAGES.

A lication filed Mar. 25, 1899.)

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Human stares PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD F. EATON, OF QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC CARRIAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 659,729, dated October16, 1900.

Application filed March 25,1899. Serial No. 710,450. (No model),

To etZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD F. EATON, of Quincy, county of Norfolk, Stateof Massachusetts, have invent-ed an Improvement in Electrich/lotor-Oarriages and the Like, of which the following description, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, likeletters representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the improvement of electricmotor-carriages in that the batteries are suspended on the runninggearindependent of the carriage-body, to insure ease in riding and obviatetop-heaviness, the connection of the electric motor to thedriving-wheels independent of a differential gear, also the control ofthe different speeds of the motor, and the heating of the steeringleverhandle.

The above, with other features of myinvention, will be more fullypointed out in the specification and the accompanying drawings andclaims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the carriage with thetop down. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2 looking to the left with thecarriage-body removed. Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the carriage withthe body removed, showing the running-gear in full. Fig.4 is an enlargedside elevation showing the motor and its suspension on the rear axle andalso its flexible support on the carriage-body. Fig. 5 is a section onthe line 5 5, Fig. at, showing the armatures and the engaging gears onthe rear axle. Fig. 6 is a section of the steering-lever on line 6 6, asshown in Fig. l, and showing circuits of alarm-bell and handleheater.Fig. 7 is a plan View of the footheater. Figs. 8, 9, l0, and 11 arediagram views of the motor and battery circuits. Fig. 12 is a diagram ofthe circuits of the double armatures of the motor. Fig. 13 is a diagramView of the drum, showing the segment-contacts for giving the desiredcombination of the batteries for the required speeds of the carriage.Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the push-buttons for operating themagnets that control the drum. Fig. 15 is a diagram view of the circuitsthat control the drum. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the drum withits shaft and ratchet-wheels.

Referring to the drawings as in Fig. 1, the carriage-body A is shown assupported on the running-gear B, as by springs and hangers A. Therunning-gear is made up of tubing B as a framework for supporting thedifferent parts, 5 5 and at the points 13 B are loose joints to allowthe framework to give when the wheels B and B are passing over an unevensurface or road-bed.

The electric motor 13 is secured by clamps a to the rear axle a andsuspended by a ing or projection (0 secured to or forming part of thefield-magnets, the said lug being held in position by springs a a andhanger-rod a secured to the under side of the carriage-body A, thismeans of suspension being used to relieve the sudden starting orstopping of the carriage. The motor B has the usual form offield-magnets d but instead of the usual single armature as ordinarilyused I employ a pair of armatures, as O and D, with their correspondingbrushes and holders a and a The shafts a and a have at their outerextremities pinions a and 60 meshing with gears 0, and e at one end ofsleeves a and a and at the outer ends of said sleeves a and a" aresecured the driving-wheels B This construction allows of the wheels B tovary in speed, which is necessary in turning the carriage. The sleeves nand 0. are jour- 8o naled in bearings a and a forming part of the frameB.

To stop the carriage, a double band or hub brake is employed, and, asshown, the gearwheels at and c0 are provided with hubs a and aencircling which are two flexible steel bands at and 0. and lined withleather to secure additional friction. The ends of the bands (1,22 and0, are pivotally secured, as at a to rocker-arms 05 secured to a rockeroshaft e supported in bearings e fastened to the under side of thecarriage-bodyA. On the rocker-shaft a is secured an arm a pivotallyconnected at its outer extremity 00 with a connecting-rod a whichconnects at its 5 opposite end (1 with a foot-lever a, carried up andthrough the bottom of the carriagebody within reach of the foot of theoperator. The pressure of the foot-lever in the direction of the arrow20 through the-connecting-rod e causes the rocker-shaft e to turnsufficiently to cause the hands a and e to clamp on the hubs (1 and ethe desired amount to stop the carriage.

To protect the gears from dust and obstruction, a guard a is providedfor each gear and pinion.

The axles of the steering-wheels B are pivoted, as at b and at b. Theaxles have secured to or forming part of them arms or projections 12 andb ,which are pivotally connected by a connecting-rod 11*, so that onewheel will not move without a corresponding movement of the other. Asshown in Fig. 3, the arms 19 and b are set at an angle in relation tothe wheels, sothat the axles of the wheels B will assume asubstantially-correct relation with the rear axle to form an imaginarypivotpoint for the turning of the carriage. On the axle having the armor projection 19 is an arm or projection b secured to or forming a partthereof, and at the outer end is pivotally connected a rod N, which isconnectedat its opposite end with the bell-crank lever b pivoted at apoint 19 on the carriage-body. The opposite arm of the bell-crank lever19 is pivotally connected by a rod 6 with an arm 12 (shown in dottedlines, Fig. 1,) forminga part of the steering-lever 17 pivoted as at b.

The batteries E for supplying the current to drive the carriage areplaced in a tray or framework of angle-iron 0, supported on springs cand the springs resting on hangers 0 made hooked-shaped and resting onthe framework B. The springs c and c are placed.

close to the framework or tray 0 to allow the springs and batteries tobe covered by a suitable box a to protect them from mud and moisture;The supporting of the batteries on springs is to eliminate the vibrationand lengthen the life of the batteries. Secured to the box 0 is a thintube 0 extending up and through the bottom of the carriage-body A andthrough which the battery and motor wires are carried. The variousspeeds of the motor fordriving the carriage is accomplished by groupingthe batteries E into the difierent combinations, so as to change thevoltage namely: a first speed using a voltage of twenty volts with thefour sets of batteries in multi ple, as shown in Fig. 8; second, avoltage of forty volts, two sets each in multiple, and then they areconnected in series, as shown in Fig. 9, and, third, a voltage of eightyvolts, the cells all in series, as shown in Fig. 10. These variouscombinations of the batteries are made by the terminals of the batteriesE being connected by wires F to brushes G, in contact with an insulateddrum H, on which are metallic segments H for making the desiredcombinations.

To reverse the motor and move the carriage in a reverse direction, thedrum H is electromechanically revolved in an opposite direction, whichthrough the contacts H and contact-springs e e" e 6 as shown in Fig.

I 8, causes the current through the armature of the motor to bereversed.

To more clearly understand the various circuits for controlling thespeed, we will trace the current as in Fig. 8, which is the first speedforward. Starting with the positive of the batteries E, as shown in Fig.8, it will be seen that the current will be brought by the four wires ee e e to the brushes 6 e e e", to the segment 6 then to brush e wire ethrough automatic circuit-opener e, which automatically opens in case ofan overload on the motor, thence through ammeter H, wire a, through thebrush e9 segment e wire 6 segment a", brush e f, wire a, both sets ofbrushes a and a and armatures O and D, as shown in detail in Fig. 12,thence by wire e brush 6, segments, wire 6 segment 6', brush 6 wire a,{field-magnets of the motor B wire 6 safety-key e wire a, circuit-openerI, wire e brush 6, segment e brushes 6 e e" c, and thence through thewires 6 e e e to the negative poles of the four batteries E. On the wire6 at the point e connects a wire a with a volt-meter e thence through awire e, to a point e on the wire (2 thus showing on the volt-meter e thevoltage of the circuit,\ which is in the same case with the ammeter andsecured to the dasher a. The description of the circuits of the aboveshows the arrangement for the first speed, and for the second and thirdthe same path is traveled, except that the grouping of the batteries isarranged as shown in Figs.' 9 and 10, respectively.

lo charge the batteries, as shown in Fig. 11, the drum is placed at apoint, as at H Fig. 13, and a plug f is inserted in the terminals f andf and the said plug being connected with a suitable dynamo by wires f Tocharge the batteries, we will suppose that the current will start fromthe brush f, thence by wires f 8 ammeter H automatic circuit-opener a,wire e 9, brush e segment f brush a, wire e battery E, wire 6*, brush a,

segmentf wire f segment ffilbrush 6", wire' 6 battery E, wire e brush esegment .6 wire f segment f brush e wire a, battery E, wire a, brush a,segment f, wire f seg ment f, brush e, wire e, battery E, wire e brush esegment f wire f", segment f, brush f wire f to brush f and thencethrough the plug to the dynamo, thus charging the whole set of batteriesin/series. To test the voltage during the charging, key f is placedunder the seat, and closing the same a circuit is established fromapoint e, wiree ,volt-meter e wire 6, e keyf, contact 6 and wire e to thepoint e. 1

So far in the description of the circuits I have described the differentcombinations of the batteries for varying the speed of the carriage. Nowto revolve this drum that has on its surface the segments for making thedifferent combinations I employ a. new and novel arrangement. We willstart with the drum at the position H and, first inserting thesafety-key a, will then depress the key g, closing the contact gf g, andin so doing a circuit will be established as follows: beginning from thepositive ole of the battery F and wire g g g, magnet g wire contacts g 9and wires g g to the negaby giving a combination of circuits resultingin the first speed. A second contact energizes the magnet a second time,thus changing to the second speed, and a third contact a still furthermovement and a third or full speed. To slow up gradually, a depressionof the key 9 will, through the contacts g g", energize the magnets 9 andthus revolve the drum H in the opposite direction, and thus bring thedrum to the position H and slow up the speed of the carriage to a stop;but in case it is desired to stop suddenly a depression of the key 9will close the contracts g Q21, thus creating a circuit as follows: fromthe positive pole of the battery F, wires g g, magnet g, Wire Q23,cont-acts 9 g and wires g and g to battery. In so doing the contact I isopen, thereby opening the motor-circuit on whatever speed and stoppingthe motor. In the meantime a circuit follows is created: beginning fromthe positive pole of the battery F,wires g g through magnet Q18, wires 9925, brush g contactwheel shaft g, brush Q29, wire g contacts 9 and wireg to negative pole ofbattery, which is intermittently closed through thecontact-wheel thus revolving the drum backward to its position H To holdthe drum H in its different positions, a star- Wheel 3 is secured on theshaft g and engaging with the said star-wheel is a spring g, that isshaped to cooperate with recesses on the wheel and said recessescorresponding with the difierent rows of segments for the differentspeeds of the motor. To move the carriage in the reverse or a backwarddirection, the operator could utilize the key or contact g, and usingthe keys g and g a similar control can be obtained of the carriage as inthe forward direction. I have shown these keys or contacts as inclosedin an insulated handle (7 that is held in the hand of the operator, andthe said handle is connected by a flexible cord 9 covering the wiresgand when not in use the handle can be hung up by the eye g on a suitablehook in the carriage. In using this form of controller, with thesteering-lever on the side, the seat is left free from all projectionsor obstructions.

As an extra safeguard against accident or derangement of the circuits akey 6 is located at the side of the operator, so that it may bewithdrawn instantly, or in case he wish es to leave the carriage andguard against any one usingiit he can withdraw the key and take it awaywith him. An alarm-bell d is provided and connected by wires d toabattery d and brushes (1 corresponding with segments (1, connected bywires (1 with a push-button d placed in the handle of the steering-leverb, so that at all times the operator has for instant use a suitablealarm.

On the steering-lever 12 I have Wound a coil of resistant-wire is,connected by wires 7a to segments 10*, on which rest bushes 10 connectedby wire 10 to a switch k and battery E. When switch is turned on, asmall amount of current flows through the coil on the handle and warmsthe same sufficiently to keep the hand of the operator warm.

The feet of the occupants may be kept warm by a heater 76 made in theusual form and placed in the bottom of the carriage, as at W. (Shown indotted lines in Fig. 1.)

To throw sufficient light on the road at night, a headlight and sidelights are provided.

In the construction of my carriage Whereas the motor and battery-box aresupported on the framework independent of the carriagebody it is obviousthat the same running gear may be used with different styles of body,such as a two-seated body, a light delivery-wagon, &c.

It is obvious from supporting the batteries below the carriage-body thatit allows the use of the space under the seat for carrying packages,&IC.

I claim 1. The combination in an electrically-propelled vehicle, of abody, its running-gear, batteries and motor driving mechanism, with theelectromechanically operated motor speed-controlling drum andcontact-keys for controlling the drum-operating circuits substantiallyas described.

2. In a motor-carriage of the class described the combination with thesingle-field, doublearmature-motor driving mechanism, its batteries andsupporting-frame, of the electromechanically-operated motorspeed-controlling drum and contact-keys for controlling thedrum-operating circuits substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a motor-carriage of the class described the combination with thesingle-field, doublearmature-motor driving mechanism, its battery andsupporting-frame, of the electro- .mechanically-operated motorspeed-controlling drum and contact-keys supported in a armature-motordriving mechanism, its battery and supporting-frame, of theelectromechanically-actuated motor speed-controller, and contact-keysfor controlling the moand contact-keys for controlling the motor torspeed-conHoller-operating circuits, sub speed-controller-operatingcircuits, substanstantially as and for the purpose described. tially asand for the purpose described.

6. Inamotor-carriageofthe classdescribed, HOWARD F. EATON. 5 thecombination with themotor driving mech- Witnesses: anism and its batteryE, of the electrome- HERMAN ASKENASY,

chanically-actuated motor speed-controller, PAUL ASKENASY.

